The FBI has successfully thwarted a potential terrorist attack planned for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina, officials announced. Christian Sturdivant, 18, is facing charges for allegedly attempting to support a foreign terrorist organization, according to U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson from the Western District of North Carolina. Authorities revealed that Sturdivant intended to target civilians at a grocery store in an effort to show allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Sturdivant hails from Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. The FBI’s Charlotte field office shared the news via social media, detailing that Sturdivant’s plan involved using hammers and knives to potentially kill up to 20 people inside a grocery store on New Year’s Eve. This plan was uncovered after Sturdivant expressed animosity towards Christians online and began conversing with an undercover government agent, whom he believed was connected to ISIS. This undercover contact is referred to as “OC” in the criminal complaint.
“The FBI and our partners worked tirelessly over the holidays to ensure the safety of the American public, and this case exemplifies their outstanding efforts,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News. “Our teams swiftly identified the threat and took decisive action, undoubtedly saving lives. We extend our gratitude to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and regional partners in both New York and Western North Carolina for their invaluable contributions.”
‘During his online communications with the OC, Sturdivant said, “I will do jihad soon,” and proclaimed he was “a soldier of the state,” meaning ISIS,’ the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement. Sturdivant on December 14th provided ‘OC’ an image of two hammers and a knife. Moreover, law enforcement uncovered various handwritten documents by Sturdivant during a December 29th search of his residence. One handwritten note read ‘New years Attack 2026’ along with a written list of items for the potential attack, including a vest, mask, tactical gloves, and two knives.
‘It also listed a goal of stabbing as many civilians as possible and [the] total number of victims as 20 to 21. The note also included a section listed as “martyrdom Op,” with a plan to attack police that arrived at the site of the attack so the defendant would die a martyr,’ the Attorney’s Office noted. ‘In addition, law enforcement seized from Sturdivant’s bedroom a blue hammer, a wooden handled hammer, and two butcher knives hidden underneath the defendant’s bed.’ The FBI field office in Charlotte on December 18th was tipped off that an individual, who was later identified as Sturdivant, was posting support for ISIS on social media.
‘In one social post in early December 2025, Sturdivant posted an image depicting two miniature figurines of Jesus with the on-screen text that included “May Allah curse the cross worshipers,”‘ according to the US Attorney’s Office. ‘The post is allegedly consistent with ISIS historic practice calling for the extermination of all non-believers, including Christians and other Muslims who do not agree with the terrorist organization’s extreme ideology.’ This was the second known New Years Eve terror plot disrupted by the FBI this holiday season. Agents also arrested four people connected to a pro-Palestinian anti-law enforcement group for plotting attacks around Los Angeles last month.
